M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of lower back pain in registered pharmacists in Johannesburg, in terms of workplace and individual factors, in order to establish under which circumstances workplace and individual factors could influence the prevalence of lower back pain in pharmacists. The sample population of registered pharmacists in Johannesburg (N=300) was selected from the register of pharmacists of Gauteng and a questionnaire was sent to the relevant pharmacists. A total of 92 questionnaires were returned and represented a 30,7% response rate. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding : The prevalences of previous and current lower back pain; the intensities and frequencies of previous and current lower back pain; the location of previous and current lower back pain; the radiation of pain occurring in the lower extremities during previous and current lower back pain; the weakness or numbness perceived in the lower extremities during previous and current lower back pain; the professionals consulted for previous and current lower back pain; the medication administered for previous and current lower back pain. The questions asked regarding individual factors included : age; gender; anthropometry; exercise and smoking; the workplace factors included : number of years in practice; number of hours and days worked per week; bending, twisting and lifting; static work postures and repetitive work. The results were statistically analysed using frequency distributions, cross-tabulations and the Kruskal-Wallis.Chi-squared approximation test. The results were represented by pie charts, frequency tables and cross-tabulations, and descriptively analysed. The overall prevalence of lower back pain in registered pharmacists in Johannesburg was 41,3%. Among other findings, the weight and build were found to be significantly associated with the respondents increased lower back pain. Other significant findings were that respondents who worked more days per week as well as those who had an increased frequency of reaching above shoulder height at work, had an increased incidence of lower back pain. It must be emphasised that great caution should be exercised in attempting to generalise the findings of this survey, 'since workplace and individual factors associated with the lower back pain were based on the respondent's subjective evaluations. This study was not designed to establish cause and effect relationships between individual and workplace factors, and prevalence of lower back pain among pharmacists.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:11348 |
| Date | 04 June 2014 |
| Creators | Frese, Monica |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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